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Taiwan Quick Take

■ Earthquakes
Temblor jolts northeast
A moderate earthquake jolted northeastern Taiwan yesterday, the Central Weather Bureau said. No damage or injuries were immediately reported. The 4.7-magnitude quake was centered 10km northeast of Ilan, the weather bureau said. Ilan is 50km southeast of the capital, Taipei.

■ Politics
Campaign launched
A pro-Taiwan independence group based in the US has launched a "one-person, one-call" drive to lobby US congressmen to oppose to a proposed "anti-secession law" by China. The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) gathered in a Presbyterian Church in Falls Church in North Virginia Monday, with He Cheng-shan, head of the FAPA's Washington, branch and reverend Chen Chin-fang (陳清芳) spearheading the movement. Chen noted China's full National People's Congress will meet in Beijing in March to discuss the draft "anti-secession law," and urged all Taiwan compatriots to act in unison to urge US congressmen to oppose the proposed law. If Taiwan expatriates can get the support of 100 US congressmen, the voices opposing the "anti-secession law" will get wider attention, he said. The FAPA, established in 1982 in Los Angeles to promote the establishment of an independent and democratic Taiwan, also plans to protest in front of the Chinese Embassy Saturday.

■ Culture
Chen says spring is coming
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) likened the onset of spring with a thaw in cross-strait relations when he attended a Spring Festival gathering of literary and artistic figures yesterday. The president said that with the concerted efforts of all people, political reconciliation and the easing of cross-strait tensions can be achieved. "Spring is coming," the president said, referring to cross-strait peace and democratic development in Taiwan. Chen made the remarks during his meeting with hundreds of literary and artistic figures at the party, which was sponsored by the National Cultural Association (NCA). The president also presented each participant with a "red envelope," or lucky money, to wish them a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year. Chen said that he has always admired the lives of the literati and artists, saying that the power of culture and arts is unlimited. With no pressure to seek another term, Chen said he hopes to do his best to deliver on the promise he made when he headed the NCA in August 2000 to establish a country based on culture so that Taiwan can become steeped in rich cultural ambience.

■ Society
MOI lists ins and outs
A total of 50,776 people moved here last year, marking an increase of 13,471 from the figure for 2003, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) reported yesterday. Meanwhile, 47,185 local residents moved abroad last year, down 2,375 from the year-earlier level, giving the nation a net population inflow of 3,591 for last year. The ministry tallies also showed that 12,804 people moved out of Taipei City last year, marking the highest figure for any administrative district in the country. Changhua County and Yunlin County placed second and third on the list. A total of 20,210 people moved into Taoyuan County, placing it at the top of that list. Taipei County and Taichung City placed second and third, respectively.

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